Container



I. SCHIMEL CONTAINER Dec. 15, 1959 2 Sheets-Sheet 1 Filed Dec. 16, 1955 IN VEN TOR. IRVING SCHIMEL ATTORNEY S United States Patent CONTAINER Irving Schimel, Hillside, N.J., assignor, by mesne assignments, to ,Owens-illinois Glass Company, Toledo, Ohio, a corporation of Ohio Application December 16, 1955, Serial No. 553,450

9 Claims. (Cl. 229-23) The present invention relates to a container, and to the combination of a container and telescoping cover, the construction of which facilitates manufacture, handling and use and which is suitable for display as well as for contents-carrying.

A feature of the container here under discussion is that both the container proper and the cover therefor may each be formed from a single die-cut blank of corrugated paperboard or the like with a truly minimal amount of waste and may be erected without having to employ stitching, taping or any auxiliary fastening devices.

The structure of the container proper is such that it is sturdy and self-sustaining, may therefore be used with contents of considerable weight, and provides for the eifective display of those contents, whether for counting or for customer access. The construction of the telescoping cover cooperates with that of the container per se in order to produce a completely dust-proof seal when the cover is in place and to facilitate the exposure of the contents of the container for display or access purposes as above mentioned. In addition, the very cover construction from which the preceding advantages are derived also provides eifeetive hand grips at opposite sides or ends of the covered container, thus facilitating removal of the cover or transportation of the covered container when the cover is secured in place.

More specifically, both the container and the cover are formed from a single blank having bottom wall and opposed pairs of side and end walls foldably secured thereto. One pair of opposed walls is provided with flaps adapted to extend inside the other pair of opposed Walls, the walls of said other pair being divided by a foldline into upper and lower portions, the lower portion being adapted to be folded over the upper edges of the flaps so as to extend down inside those flaps, there to be secured in place as by locking engagement with recesses formed in the bottom wall. The height of the flaps, or at least those portions of the flaps which extend over the central portion of the container, are abbreviated relative to the height of the walls to which those flaps are foldably secured. Hence at least a portion, and preferably the central portion, of one pair of opposed walls has a height less than the other pair of opposed walls. Openings are thus provided in one pair of opposed walls through which visual or physical access to the contents of the container may be had. The telescoping cover is constructed similarly to the container, but with its walls of abbreviated height positioned against the container walls of full height. Thus a friction seal is defined around the closed container which is completely dust-proof in nature. The exposed edges of the cover walls of abbreviated height function as hand grips so as to facilitate removal of the cover or, when the cover is secured in place,

as by being tied to the container, to permit ready lifting of'the closed container. The cover need not be completely removed in order to provide visual access to the container contents, and when the .cover is removed it can as to extend around the upper edges of :the flap portions;

' ice be used as a, supplementary open-topped container in the same manner as the containerper se.

.To the accomplishment of the above, and to such other objects as may hereinafter appear, the present invention relates to the container structure, and the container-cover combination, as defined in the appended claims and as described in this specification, taken together with the accompanying drawings, in which:

Fig. 1 is a plan view of the blank from which the container cover may be formed;

Fig. 2 is a plan view of the blank from which the container per se may be formed;

Fig. 3 is a three-quarter perspective view of the container and cover in assembled relation;

Fig. 4 is a three-quarter perspective view of the cover in inverted position;

"Fig. 5 is a three-quarter perspective view tainer;

, Fig. 6 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 6-6 of Fig. 3; and

Fig. 7 is a cross sectional view taken along the line 7-7 of Fig. 3.

The container proper and the cover adapted to telescope therewith may be formed from blanks, generally designated 1 and 3 respectively, die cut or otherwise formed from sheets of corrugated paperboard or the like. The container blank 1 comprises a bottom wall pane1'2 to which end wall panels 4 and 6 are foldably secured by means of foldlines 8 and 10 respectively. The width of the panels 4 and 6 corresponds to the desired height of the container. Foldably secured to the ends of the end wall panels 4 and 6, by means of foldlines 12, 14, 16 and 18 respectively, are flaps generally designated 20, 22, 24 and 26 respectively. The portions of these flaps directly adjacent the end wall panels 4 and 6, designated 20a, 22a, 24a and 26a respectively, have a width corresponding to the width of the panels 4 and 6 to which they are connected. The free end portions of the flaps 20-26, designated 20b, 22b, 24b and 26b respectively, are of alesser width, here shown as approximately one-half that of the flap portions 204:, 22a 24a and 26a respectively. Foldably secured to the sides of the bottom panel 2, by foldlines 28 and 30 respectively, are side wall panels generally designated 32 and 34. Each of these side wall panelsare divided into two portions by double foldlines 36 and 38 respectively, the panel portions 32a and 34a directly adjacent the bottom wall panel 2 having a length corresponding to the width of the bottom wall panel 2, the outer panel portions 32b and 34b respectively being centrally located on their respective inner panel portions but having a reduced length corresponding to the spacof the coning between the flap portions 20a and 22a and the flap portions 24a and 26a respectively when the eontaineris erected. The edges of theside wall panel portions32b and 34b are provided with projections 46 and 42, and the'bottom wall panel 2 is provided with recesses 44 and 46 adapted to register therewith, those recesses-44 and46 preferably being formed by cuts which extend only partially through the thickness of the bottom wall. panel 72. 7 T0 erect the container the end wall panels 4 and 6 are bent up around the foldlines 8 and 11% respectively so as to extend perpendicular to the bottom wall panel 2 and the flaps 20-24 are bentinwardly around the foldlines 1248 respectively so as to extend along and just inside the foldlines 28 and 3.0. The side wall panels 32 and 34 are then bent up around the foldlines 28 and 30 so that the panel portions 32a and 34a extend ..out-

side the flaps 20-24 and bridge the gap between the'iflap.

portions 20b and 22b and the flap portions 24b and 26b respectively. The panel portions 32b..and 34b are then folded around the foldlines 3.6.and '38 respectively so 20b-26b and down inside those flap portions, the projections 40 and 42 snapping into the recesses 44 and 46 in the bottom wall panel 2. Because of this projectionrecess interengagement, the container will be retained in erected condition without having to use stitching, taping or any auxiliary securing means. Since the recesses 44 and 46 preferably do not extend all the way through the thickness of the bottom wall panel 2, no openings are provided in the bottom of the container through which dirt or dust can enter. As may clearly be seen from Fig. 5, the open spaces between the flap portions 20a and 22a and the flap portions 24a and 26a provide ready access, both visual and physical, to the contents of the container, this being particularly advantageous when the contents are to be inspected or counted as well as when it. is desired to expose the contents for sale or consumption.

The cover, formed from the blank 3, is constructed similarly to the container, and corresponding numerals are utilized to relate to corresponding parts, the cover numerals, however, being primed. The only substantial difference between the cover and the container is that whereas, in the container, it was the side walls (the shorter walls) which were sub-divided into upper and lower portions designated a and b, the flaps 2024 being foldably secured to the end wall panels 4 and 6 (the long walls), in the cover this arrangement is transposed, the long walls becoming the side walls and the short walls becoming the end walls. The cover is erected in the same manner as has previously been described for the container.

From the above it will be apparent that when the cover is telescoped over the container, as shown in Fig. 3, the openings between those flaps portions 20a, 22a and 24a, and 26a respectively will be opposite the walls 4 and 6 respectively of the container, the walls 4 and 6' of the cover coming opposite the spaces between the flap portions Zita, 22a and 24a, 26a of the container. In this way the container is closed completely around its periphery, and the engagement between the cover and the container constitutes a dust-proof seal.

That portion of the cover defined by the foldlines 36' and 38, which are of appreciable width, define convenient hand grips by means of which the cover may be lifted from the container when that is desired. In addition, when the cover is secured to the container, as by being tied thereto, those same areas 36 and 38 may be used to lift and transport the container-cover combination.

When visual access to the interior of the container is desired for purposes of checking the condition of the contents thereof, the cover need not be completely removed from the container but only need be lifted a sufficient distance so that the lower edges of the cover walls 4 and 6 are positioned above the foldlines 36 and 38 on the container, the foldlines 36' ad 38' of the cover at the same time moving above the upper edges of the container walls 4 and 6. After the contents have been checked the cover, which has remained aligned and in engagement with the container, may then quickly and easily be slid back to completely telescoped position. This type of manipulation is particularly desirable when the container carries a plurality of packages and it is desired to check the number of packages which have been placed therein.

When, as is here disclosed, the container and cover are made ofcorrugated paperboard, some or all of the foldlines, and particularly the foldlines 36 and 38, may be produced by serrations which penetrate or substantially so the facing sheets of the corrugated board without substantially penetrating the corrugated portion of the board, thus facilitating easy and sharp folding.

It will be understood that the terms side wall and end wall have been used solely for purposes of discriminating between opposed pairs of walls, and that it is immaterial which ofthe opposed pairs of walls is denominated a side wall or an end wall. It will further be understood that although only a single embodiment of the invention has been here disclosed, many variationsmay be made in the details thereof without departing from the spirit of the invention as defined in the following claims.

I claim:

1. A container comprising a bottom wall, end walls foldably secured thereto, flaps foldably secured to the ends of said end walls and bent to extend along the side edges of said bottom wall, said flaps having end portions of abbreviated height relative to the body portions thereof adjacent said end walls, and side walls foldably secured to said bottom wall and comprising lower portions outside said flaps and upper portions bent down inside said flaps over the upper edges of the end portions thereof and secured in place and, in combination therewith, a cover telescopable thereover and similarly constructed but with the side and end walls transposed, whereby, when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

2. A container comprising a bottom wall, end walls foldably secured thereto, flaps foldably secured to the ends of said end walls and bent to extend along the side edges of said bottom wall, said flaps having end portions of abbreviated height relative to the body portions thereof adjacent said end walls, said body portions having a height substantially equal to that of said end walls, and side walls foldably secured to said bottom wall and comprising lower portions outside said flaps and upper portions bent down inside said flaps over the upper edges of the end portions thereof and secured in place and, in combination therewith, a cover telescopable thereover and similarly constructed but with the side and end walls transposed, whereby, when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

3. A container comprising a bottom wall, end walls foldably secured thereto, flaps foldably secured to the ends of said end walls and bent to extend along the side edges of said bottom wall, said flaps having end portions of abbreviated height relative to the body portions thereof adjacent said end walls, and side walls foldably secured to said bottom wall and comprising lower portions outside said flaps extending substantially the full distance between said end walls and upper portions bent down inside said flaps over the upper edges of the end portions thereof and secured in place and, in combination therewith, a cover telescopable thereover and similarly constructed but with the side and end walls transposed, whereby, when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

4. A container comprising a bottom wall, end walls foldably secured thereto, flaps foldably secured to the ends of said end walls and bent to extend along the side edges of said bottom wall, said flaps having end portions of abbreviated height relative to the body portions thereof adjacent said end walls, and side walls foldably secured to said bottom wall and comprising the lower portions outside said fiaps and upper portions bent down inside said flaps around a foldline over the upper edges of the end portions of said flaps and secured in place, said upper portions extending, at said foldline, substantially the full distance between said flap body portions and, in combination therewith, a cover telescopable thereover and similarly constructed but with the side and end walls transposed, whereby, when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

5. A container comprising a bottom wall, end walls foldably secured thereto, flaps foldably secured to the ends of said end walls and bent to extend along the side edges of said bottom wall, said flaps having end portions of abbreviated height relative to the body portions thereof adjacent said end walls, said body portions having a height substantially equal to that of said end walls, and side walls foldably secured to said bottom wall and comprising lower portions outside said flaps extending substantially the full distance between said end walls and upper portions bent down inside said flaps over the upper edges of the end portions thereof and secured in place and, in combination therewith, a cover telescopable thereover and similarly constructed but with the side and end walls transposed, whereby, when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

6. A container comprising a bottom wall, end walls foldably secured thereto, flaps foldably secured to the ends of said end walls and bent to extend along the side edges of said bottom wall, said flaps having end portions of abbreviated height relative to the body portions thereof adjacent said end walls, said body portions having a height substantially equal to that of said end walls, and side walls foldably secured to said bottom Wall and comprising lower portions outside said flaps and upper portions bent down inside said flaps around a foldline over the upper edges of the end portions of said flaps and secured in place, said upper portions extending, at said foldline, substantially the full distance between said flap body portions and, in combination therewith, a cover telescopable thereover and similarly constructed but with the side and end walls transposed, whereby, when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

7. A container comprising a bottom wall, end walls foldably secured thereto, flaps foldably secured to the ends of said end walls and bent to extend along the side edges of said bottom wall, said flaps having end portions of abbreviated height relative to the body portions thereof adjacent said end walls, said body portions having a height substantially equal to that of said end Walls, and side walls foldably secured to said bottom wall and comprising lower portions outside said flaps extending substantially the full distance between said end walls, and upper portions bent down inside said flaps around a foldline over the upper edges of the end portions of said flaps and secured in place, said upper portions extending, at said foldline, substantially the full distance between said flap body portions and, in combination therewith, a cover telescopable thereover and similarly constructed but with the side and end walls transposed, whereby, when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

8. A container comprising a bottom wall, end walls foldably secured thereto, flaps foldably secured to the ends of said end Walls and bent to extend along the side edges of said bottom wall, said flaps having end portions of abbreviated height relative to the body portions thereof adjacent said end walls, and side walls foldably secured to said bottom wall and comprising lower portions outside said flaps extending substantially the full distance between said end walls and upper portions bent down inside said flaps around a foldline over the upper edges of the end portions of said flaps and secured in place, said upper portions extending, at said foldline, substantially the full distance between said flap body portions and, in combination therewith, a cover telescopable thereover and similarly constructed but with the side and end walls transposed, whereby, when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

9. In combination, a container and a cover telescopable thereover, said container having bottom, side and end walls, the central portions of said side walls being of abbreviated height relative to the entirety of said end walls and the outer portions of said side walls, said cover being similarly constructed but with the side and end Walls transposed with respect to the location of areas of abbreviated height, whereby, when said container and cover are fully telescoped said container is entirely closed at the top thereof and when said container and cover are only partially untelescoped the contents of said combination will be visible through the spaces exposed between the end walls and side walls respectively of said container and cover.

References Cited in the file of this patent UNITED STATES PATENTS 1,451,963 Scruby Apr. 17, 1923 2,128,342 Zalkind Aug. 30, 1938 2,339,382 Davidson Jan. 18, 1944 2,678,765 Ferguson et al May 18, 1954 2,707,587 Wittstein May 3, 1955 2,758,781 White Aug. 14, 1956 

